‘Traders’ to hold ‘Bersih 4.0’ gathering, say 150,000 expected

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

Published: 24 May 2012 5:36 PM

Halau 1.0 supporters are seen riding their motorbikes near Datuk Ambiga house. – Photo by Jack OoiKUALA LUMPUR, May 24 – A group of anti-Bersih traders will hold a “Bersih 4.0” gathering next month as part of an on-going protest to demand compensation for alleged losses incurred during the April 28 rally in the city capital.

About 60-odd traders clad in “Bersih 4.0” t-shirts cancelled their plans today to set up stalls in front of Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan’s residence, saying the upcoming June 23 gathering to be held at Stadium Bukit Jalil will be used to push their “message of peace” and rejection of “Bersih 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0.”

“We will carry on our struggle with having a Bersih 4.0 gathering in Stadium Bukit Jalil.

“150,000 or more people are expected to attend,” a representative of the traders, Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, told reporters.

He said stalls would be set up outside the stadium to allow traders to conduct their businesses.

Several luxury cars including a Lamborghini would also be given out to participants of the gathering as a show of "appreciation" for their support, said Jamal.

When asked how petty traders could afford to come up with luxury cars for the the June 23 event, Jamal said:

"As individuals we do have losses but when we unite we can give out these gifts no matter how many million ringgit.

"After this we will apply for a permit for the (use of the) stadium," Jamal added.

He said "Bersih 4.0" will be calling a press conference tomorrow at 3pm at the Sekinchan ikan bakar restaurant in Jalan Pahang- where "100 lawyers" will be present and the group will explain their future plans then.

Two anti-Bersih groups - “Bersih 4.0” and the other “Halau 1.0” – had gathered near Ambiga’s residence here in Bukit Damansara earlier today demanding she apologise for the violence and alleged property damage which occurred during the Bersih 3.0 rally.

"Chase out Ambiga! Bersih is dirty!" shouted 50-odd Halau 1.0 participants, even as "Bersih 4.0" disassociated themselves from the other anti-Bersih group.

"We don't know who they are..maybe they are sabotaging us. But they're not with us," said Jamal.

Halau 1.0 chairman Shahrul Nasrun Kamarudin said the anti-group comprised of 8,000 youths who blamed Ambiga for the acts of violence which occured during the Bersih 3.0 rally.

"She is a traitor, she incites violence and hatred.

"She is the enemy to all Muslims, she supports all kinds of apostasy cases...we just want her to apologise," he told reporters.

"Why couldn't Ambiga control her people during the rally?

"We blame her, as a leader she could control the riots... Be responsible. Be a good leader. We come in harmony and peace," Shahrul said.

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